Deep-sea-sounding mechanism.



T. M. EYNON.

DEEP SEA SOUNDING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 13, 1910.

1,052,411. Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES T. M. EYNON.

DEEP SEA SOUNDING MECHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 13, 1910.

INVENTOF? 2 BEEBTS-SHEBT 2.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

THOMAS M. EYNON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA DEEP-SEA-SOUNDING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

Application filed May 13, 1910. Serial No. 561,050.

To all whom z't may concern:

Beit known that I, THOMAS M. EYnoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have mvented a certain new and useful Deep-Sea- Sounding Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention isto obtain accurate and reliable readings of the depth reached by deep sea Sounders.

In the forms at resent inv use the leakage or regurgitatlon of the water out through the inlet valve causes a like change in the needle position. I overcome this difficulty by locking the needle in position when the sounder has reached the depth which is to be determined. I provide for this locking by electric means and, in order that my invention may not be misunderstood to apply to either continuous or momentary application of electric current alone, I here illustrate {one StIUCtHIGIOf each type, each of which clearly illustrates the application of my invention with the character of current selected and each of which is at the same time practical, eificient and inexpensive.

In the continuous current form I have preferred to separate the needle wholly from angular connection with its shaft in order that the shaft may turn at will in proportion to the pressure of the water, and I have accomplished this liftin of the needle by an electro-magnet place in operative proximity t0 the needle. In the type illustrated which is intended for momentary current action I have preferred to release a spring within the sounder and thus to brake the upper part of a shaft which is in frictional engagement only with the-lower part of the same. I recognize that either or any form of release .of the needle from angular control by its spindle may be used freely with any means of electrically applying or releasing a controlling force.

Figure 1 is a broken longitudinal section of a structure embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a section of the structure seen in Fig. 1, taken upon line w'm thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a gage glass and dial used by me. Fig. 4 is a partial section of the spindle and needle used in this form. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the spindle shown in Fig, 4. Fig. 6 is a pers ective view of the form of needle used in 1. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of another orm of needle. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of still another needle. Fig. 9 is an elevation and partial section of another form of my invention. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of 0 a portion of the structure of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a vertical section of a portion of the structure seen in Fig. 9.

Like numerals of reference refer to corresponding parts in the drawings.

The gage mechanism may be of any of a number of well known types. By it the pressure of the water causes rotation of a spindle to indicate the depth.

My invention may be applied to existing 7d forms of gage, usin their devices for fixing the desired rea ing as a check on the reading obtained by me.

I have not considered it necessary to illustrate the interior mechanism of the age itself nor have I shown the-valve by w ich the water is, in many such constructions, trapped within the gage.

In the form shown in Figs. 1-7 (Sheet 1) I illustrate the lower portion 1 of a conventional sounder within which I place a gage 2. This gage is placed within an upper casing 3, screwthreaded to the bottom portion at 4 and itself screw threaded exteriorly at 5 to provide for sealing and other functions through collar 6. I show the spindle 7 projecting from the top of the gage and provide this spindle in this form with an irregularity or de arture from cylindrical form at 8 which I prefer to make by flatting one side thereof at 9 for a short distance only,- continuing the spindle in cylindrical form at 10 of such radius that the flattened portion shall be substantially tangent to the, cylindrical surface so formed. Upon this 95 spindle I place a needle 11 having a boss 12 bored at 13 to agree with the up er portion 10 of the spindle and irregular y counterbored at let to agree with the irregularity of the portion 8 of the spindle. It will be evident that the needle will move angularlyin agreement with the spindle 7 in the position shown in full in Fig. 4 but that, when the needle is moved to the dotted osition in Fig. 4, it will be free from angu ar control by this spindle. I

I prefer to provide the scale 15 for this needle upon the under and plane side of a lano-convex lens glass 16 which is made of uniform thickness at the outer edge 17 in order to provide for a convenient seal between the parts. It seals against the sec- 45 I number of places, here made four, as at 27.

tion 3 of the sounder upon the one side and a ring 18 which 1s screwed into collar 6 upon the other side. I cushion the lens seal by any desired gasketing at 19 and 20. Any. desired system of dial graduations may be used. I

I prefer to paint or otherwise apply the scaleordial directly to the under surface of the plano convex lens in order that the lens may magnify the reading and that the dial may obscure sight through the lass and into the top of the sounder as litt e as ossible. The lens here forms a'convenient orm of support for the markings, though, obviously, other forms of support might be provided. I place the top portionelO of the spindle in close enough proximity to the lens so thatmy needle may be brou ht directly in contact with the under sur ace of the dial at the same time that it is freed from angular control by the-spindle. In the il1ustration selectedQI lift m needle from the 1 solid lihe to the dotted line position shown in Fig; 4 by electro-magnetic means, transmitting. a current of electricity by means of' wires 2l'from cable 22 to acoil 23'about a preferably central field 2d above a central pole of either polarity but which for conpositive and venience, will be-assumed to be which I have so marked; v

The field is extended into a proximityto the glass 16and is preferably reduced in size as it ap roaches this glass,

- leakage only. I make the other pole of my electro-magnet in the form of a ring 18' tions and to avoid any possibility of the aperturing to give full view resulting in.

gaining in intensity 0 flux and giving more room for examination of the dial. For an givenconstruction this would have to be. eslgned to carry the requisite magnetieflux with as little interruption to the view as possible, obtaining greater intensity ofv magnetic flux a't'25 at the same time that the view is cleared, and losing in possible connecting it with the field 24 by means of yoke 26 which I aperture at any desired In order to'improve the magnetic condiangular pull upon the needle through irregular dlstribution of magnetic flux 1n the ring 18 I extend the ends of my needle cir; cularly at 28 and 29 to any desired degree,

balancing magnetic conditions .thereby. Evidently for many required uses the amount of aperturing and corresponding disturbance of uniformity of distribution line therewith and screw i35 pole 25 posite sides of the marker or index 30. I provide current for the electro-magnet from any suitable source. such as, batteries diagrammatically indicated at 32.

' I securethe cable, (preferably carrying the Wires'21 in its interior) within a stem 33, integral with the el'ectro-magnet, and

longitudinally bore the stem at 33 to a sufli c ent depth to give room for a laterally extending threaded opening 34, o ening 34' in p y means of which the'opening 33f is rendered tortuous and thecable is firmly secured Other securing 'means will" suggest themselves to mechanics familiar {with this an; -The wires21 pass to the winding of the 'electro-magnet through any suitably located hole or holes 36. In order'thatthereimay be no improper strain upon the spindle I prefer to make it of brass or of other non-magnetic material.

n the form shown" in Fig. 7 I have additionally loaded the needle 11- byweight ing the portions 12,28? and 29 to' increase the eife'ctof the magnetthereon. This may not be desirable in 'all cases,'--particularly as the greatest concentration of magnetic flux appears at. the centerwith consequent and advantageous greatest. pull at theeen-. I ter of the needle. v

tendency to rotate'the' needle. n this first his central ull has no described form of'my invention I purpose keepin the electric current'- on -from'the time w en the sounder has reached the de- 1 sired position, as determined by'the difier ence in weight or dra-guponthe line'or in any other existing or selectedmanner, until V the sounder "has. been --'removed from the water and "the reading 50f =the' needle-has introduced therefore through the extreme been taken. The-current is mostdesirably end of the cable opposite to that from which the sounder is suspended; Sincethe current can readily be so maintained and the precise method of doing this does not form a part of this invention I have not illustrated this structure other than diagram matically; The needle 11 can be reset readily after the reading has been taken and the current has been out 01f from its electromagnet, by the use of'any independent mag-f net by which the needle. is attracted and so turned it has reached the resetting position wh1ch can besuitably in'dicatedor when any water which may have been trap ed in the gage has been released. The

which can be determined by the zeropoint can be adjusted to the extension of the nee-' dle eircumferentially, extending 28 and 29 to any desired extent, if necessary into union, as in Fig. 8. In orderto assist in the reading of the needle against the scale when the marker 30 lies back of a portion of the yoke 26, I form inwardly projecting 65 points 31 at any suitable distances upon op- 'erably tween the bail and the sounder is not used as an electro-magnet and its lower annulus 18 is preferably integral with the threaded collar 6. In this form I have provided a little more room between the gage and the lass and within the space so provided have interrupted or separated the portions of the spindle 7 itself so that the upper portion 3:7 is frictionally united at 38 with the lower portion while this part 37 is su ported prefby two bearings 39 an 40 in order that a band brake 41 may act between them without unbalancing strains. I have attached the ends 42 and 43 of this hand brake to a spring 44 which is united to the casing in any suitable manner as at 45 and whose end 46 is normally en aged by latch 47 to release the brake. The latch 47 is controlled by an electro-magnet 48 so thatit may be Withdrawn by a momentary impulse through wires 49, carried-by the suspending cable, with the result that momentary application of the electric current sets the needle 50 rigidly in the position then the s indle.

assumed, independently of possible subsequent movement of the spindle 7 In the form shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the resetting of the spring and needle are accomplished through an opening closed by a screw 51 which can be removed to make the interior accessible. The 0 ening closed by 51 as well as the openings tlirough which wires 49 pass can be sealed in any well known way, and these wires may be braced or supported in any convenient manner as by clamp 52.

Having what I regard as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent-is: 1

1. In a deep sea sounder, a spindle, a needle engaging the spindle at one position thereon to rotate therewith and free from rotative engagement therewith at another position, means for causing the rotation of the spindle to correspond to the depths of the sounder, a dial indicating the angular position of the needle, a water-tight casing surrounding the needle and an electro-magnet and connections outside of said casing for shifting the position of the needle upon '2. n a deep sea sounder, a-spindle, a

needle movable thereon to engage and .dis-

engage operatively for angular movement therewith, a dial for said needle, means for moving the spindle in agreement with the depth of the sounder, a watertight casing surrounding the needle, and electric means outside of the casing for shifting the position of the needle upon the spindle.

3. In a'deep sea sounder, a spindle, a needle normally movable therewith, a casing surrounding the needle and spindle, sealing them against admission of 'water and provided with a transparent face and scale thus described my invention markings in proximity to the said face, hydrostatic means for moving the spindle in proportion to the depth at which the spindle is located and means external to said casing for maintaining the needle in any angular position.

4. In a deep sea sounder, a spindle, a needle normally movable angularly therewith, a support having scale markings for indication of the position of the needle, hydrostatic means in proximity to the spindle for turning the spindle in proportion to the depth of water reached by it and an electromagnet for setting theneedle angularly in any position to which it has been turned by the spindle.

5. In a dee sea sounder, a hydrostatic gage, an axial y movable needle operatively connected therewith, acasin closed against water admission and electromagnetic means external to the casing for moving the needle axially.

6. In a deep sea sounder, a gage, a movable needle controlled thereby, a dial therefor and an electro-magnet having poles affectin the approximate center and extremities o the needle at the same time.

7. In a deep sea sounder, a gage, a needle movable thereby, a casing preventing admission of water to said needle and having a transparent face, and an electro-magnet outside of said casing and substantially inclosing the outside of said' face.

8. In a deep sea sounder, a horizontal dial, a gage, a vertically extending support partly obscuring the view of the dial, and a needle-adapted to be moved by the gage about the dial having a main indication marking and auxiliary indication markings thereon upon opposite sides laterally from the'main indication marking thereon.

9. In a deep sea sounder, a casing, ,a needle therein, a hydrostatic gage for moving said needle and an annular electro-magnet for attracting said needle and holding it fixed'in position. I

10. In a deep sea sounder, a gage, a needle thereon, and an electro-magnet for affecting the needle and having a central ole substantially surrounded by a pole o opposite polarity.

1 1. In a deep sea sounder, a gage, a needle thereon, and .acombined support for the sounder-and 'electro-magnet for the needle.

12. In a dee sea sounder, a gage, a needle thereon, a. be led magnet for moving the needle having a circumferential pole and an interior pole, and a winding for the magnet lying within the bell.

13. In a device of the character described,

a gage, a needlethereon, an electro-magnet giving magnetic flux of variant densities in diflerent parts of the path of the needle for said needle and lateral extensions of the needle to com- 14. In a device of the character described, a gage, a needle thereon, means for creating a magnetic field variant in different arts of the needle and lateral extensions 0? the needle providing compensation for the variant field and having auxiliary indications for the needle. 4

15. In a device of the character stated, a gage having a spindle of non-circular section in a portion of its length, a needle normally engaging said non-circular portion of the spindle, a dial for the needle and an electro-magnet operative to Withdraw the needle from said engagement.

16. In a deep sea sounder, a hydrostatic gage, an-annular electro-magnet and an annularly extended needle angularly moved by I 

